In the past I’ve written about the different salsa congresses that take place around the world.  Many of the the professionals involved in these competitions contend for the coveted privilege of performing in the World Salsa Federation’s (WSF) World Salsa Championships.

The WSF is recognized by the Amateur Athletic Union , the largest amateur sporting organization in the U.S. with over 800,000 members. Isaac Altman and the World Salsa Federation were successful in bringing Salsa and DanceSport as official sports in the Junior Olympic Games since 2002.  I had the unique privilege of talking with Isaac regarding his efforts to bring his organization’s goals to Southern California and particularly, San Diego.

Enjoy!!!

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Ritmo Bello : Isaac, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to address the Ritmo Bello audience.  To start off, what is the mission and focus of your organization as it pertains to the San Diego Salsa and Southern California Salsa communities?

World Salsa Federation: Our mission is generally the same World-Wide, however, Southern California is definitely a hotbed for Salsa dancers.  Our mission is as follows:

To promote, encourage, publicize and facilitate the art of Salsa dancing including leisure and competitive style, by giving demonstrations, holding competitions and exhibitions, by organizing or sponsoring lectures, lessons and examinations, awarding certificates, prizes and scholarships and doing all such matters and things as will conduce to raising or improving the standard of Salsa dancing, including leisure and competitive styles, and by promoting uniformity of instruction in the basic and advanced steps of Salsa through a uniform Bronze, Silver, and Gold Syllabus .

To encourage, foster and increase public interest in the art of Salsa dancing.  To formulate and secure international recognition and adoption of official international rules and Syllabus of Competitive Salsa dancing, and to encourage the promotion and proper conduct of competition, and the recognition of established championships.  To do all such things as are likely to promote and improve the standard of Salsa dancing.   To encourage the general public to obtain instruction only from qualified teachers, and to do all such things as are likely to promote and improve the standard of conduct to raising or maintaining the professional status and ethical standards of all persons engaged or seeking to be engaged in the teaching of Salsa dancing.  To grant permission for approved National WSF member organizations to organize, world, continental and area/regional continental championships in Salsa that are controlled by the WSF, and such other titles as may from time to time be determined by the WSF.  To formulate rules to govern such championships and other titles in accordance with the rules of the WSF and/or other rules recognized by the WSF, which are not incompatible with these objects, and which shall include the governance of the conduct of member organizations and persons or bodies recognized by and/or is registered with the WSF.  To promote, facilitate and encourage exchanges of information on all matters pertaining to Salsa dancing.

To formulate promulgate and oversee a uniform method of judging and marking in all Salsa competitions and championships throughout the world.  To acquire the copyrights and other rights, licenses and privileges of any sort likely to be conducive to the objects of the WSF and to encourage, assist and employ persons to write, compose or invent dance steps, music, musical arrangements and scripts and remunerate such person or persons, and to print, publish or cause to be printed or published, books, pamphlets, newspapers, journals, circularize, instructional handbooks and/or video tapes, dances steps, dance arrangements, music and musical scores and arrangements and literature of any kind likely to further the objects of the WSF and its members; and to sell, distribute and deal with any matter so printed or recorded as the WSF may think fit and to grant licenses or rights in respect of any property of the WSF and to enter into agreements with  persons, firms or societies in connection with the same.  To secure the recognition of competitions and other events that  are recognized by the WSF.

Ritmo Bello: What are the origins of your organization?

World Salsa Federation: The WSF is a United States corporation with World Headquarters in Miami, Florida, and was legally formed in August 2001, and is the recognized World Governing Body for Salsa Competition.

Ritmo Bello : Are there any dance or music artists you are currently promoting that you’d like the public to know more about?

World Salsa Federation: The WSF is not an organization that promotes music artists as such.  The WSF is a dance organization, but does help music artists get work at no charge.  The WSF currently has several World-Class dancers it manages called Las Estrellas De La Salsa.

Ritmo Bello: I saw on your website that you offer a model search feature?

World Salsa Federation:

Yes we do.  We are always looking for people to highlight in our print and TV ads.

Ritmo Bello: What are some of the programs and services that you offer apart from the model search?

World Salsa Federation: The World Salsa Federation, Inc. provides top-notch certification for Teachers, Instructional DVD’s and Videos, Achievement Awards for Amateurs, and with great customer support.

Ritmo Bello : I heard that you are hosting the Salsa World Championships in Miami, right?

World Salsa Federation:

That is correct.  On behalf of the Board of Directors of the World Salsa Federation, Inc. I would like to welcome everyone to the 7th Annual World Professional Salsa Championships to be held November 7th and 8th, 2008.  This year I am sure we will celebrate with record attendance at our wonderful facility, the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming facility in Miami, Florida.  Over 2 days, competitors will have an opportunity to be World Champions in their style and then go head to head for the title of Undisputed World Professional Salsa Champions.  The Undisputed World Professional Salsa Champions will represent the best of Salsa competitive dancing, and will represent the WSF world wide. Also included this year will be the World Junior and Youth Salsa Championships.  The youth come to this event with unsurpassed energy and enthusiasm.  Come watch them compete as these young people will be our future salsa stars!!!

Ritmo Bello : Anything else you’d like to share with the general public?

World Salsa Federation: We hope that we will get to meet all the wonderful people of Southern California and share in our passion, SALSA!

Ritmo Bello: How can the Ritmo Bello audience reach you if they want to find out more information about your organization?

World Salsa Federation: You can call us at 786-566-2604, visit our website at www.wsfsalsa.com , or email us at wsfsalsa@yahoo.com

Ritmo Bello: Isaac, on behalf of Ritmo Bello thank you for your time and good luck on your future endeavors!

Recently we’ve seen a growth in local salsa dance competition groups here in San Diego. Many people decide to go the route of joining a competitive group for a number of reasons.

Some salsa dancers do so out of pleasure while others for promotion of their particular style of dance. Others also do it for the financial gains that are possible through exposure at different competitions. Although I myself have never been a part of a salsa dance troupe (For me its all about the social dancing), I know that locally here in San Diego there are many different types of studios and approaches available for someone interested in joining such a salsa group.

Here are some tips and issues to consider if you decide to pursue life as a salsa dance troupe member:

1) What’s your Reason for Joining?

I think it is smart to ask this before you pursue joining a salsa dance troupe. Of course there is the possibility of extreme enjoyment taken from the show aspect of competitions. Talking with different dance troupe members through the years and seeing them in action, it is easy to see that there is some attraction to being viewed by others as the “top salsa dancers.” Some people though have pointed out that joining a salsa dance troupe affords the incredible opportunity to improve your repertoire of dancing moves. This makes sense when you take into consideration that you will be exposed to other great dancers and taught a routine that really showcases some great moves that you otherwise would not learn.

2) Do you have a salsa dance partner?

Most people end up joining existing dance troupes and are basically placed or assigned to work with a particular partner.

If you already have a set partner though it is important that you both have the same purpose and understanding of the work involved. Taking on a competition seriously requires hours of preparation and practice. It is frustrating to one partner if the other is not as committed.

If you don’t yet have a partner and need to find someone, try to find a dancer who complements your level and style. I think the ideal situation is to find someone who is relatively at your same level of dance and that will be able to grow with you in your dancing abilities.

3) Choreography:

I know many groups focus on a theme for their dances, with some taking movie themes or other familiar motifs to brand their dancing. What I think is more important, though, is the actual movements and how the team works together as a unit. I think the purpose of the dance troupe is to showcase the hard work and practice involved to create a cohesive show that the public can enjoy. This can only be accomplished by devising a dance choreography that matches the music chosen and clearly reveals the great synchronization of the movements. Whatever you do, just make sure you are using your own unique choreography and not simply copying another groups approach.

I’ll write some more on the topic in the future. In the meantime, if any readers have any comments or things they want to share on the topic please post them here. It would be especially helpful to hear directly from anybody that is a member of a salsa dance troupe here locally in San Diego.